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Pink Cart's blog

It wasn’t that long ago that the first Pink Cart rolling trash can appeared on a curb and people stopped and said, “What’s THAT all about?” Now there are over 10K Pink Carts on curbs across the nation and thousands of people are discovering how easy it is help fund the breast cancer awareness work of the American Cancer Society® (ACS) and make a bold statement about their commitment.

My sister was 40 years old when she got breast cancer. She was a strong person, perhaps the strongest I know. She lived for about one year after we found out. Our world would never be the same; she suffered so much. During her last year of life she had many surgeries including brain surgery but it had spread all through her body by the end. She fought hard though. She told me once that everything she went through was worth it if she got just one more day with her family. She left behind not only one brother and three sisters, but a parent, five children, and a grandchild.

Well today is September 1st and the 24th anniversary of my Mum passing from breast cancer and even though my heart is heavy on this day for the first time ever I think hope and joy have crept in to co-occupy the space. Today also marks one year since we started The Pink Cart. This was the year that my path became clear and I was blessed with an opportunity to collide my personal life and my career with the desire to help Kick Breast Cancer to the Curb.

It’s been more of a blessed journey than a difficult one as so many others testify too. I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost a year ago. I don't know about the timing, it would have been bad news at anytime, as my life was in the middle of a serious cluster...stuff. I had been attending school part-time and was also unemployed and the bills were everywhere.

My name is Andrea Harris and I am 44 years old. In October of 2009, the great love of my life asked me to be his wife.

In May of 2010, I found a lump in my left breast. I knew something was seriously wrong when the sonogram technician kept rolling over the site of the lump asking me over and over, "So breast cancer does NOT run in your family?"

My name is Cheryl Rodriguez, I am 43 years old. I became a cancer survivor on December 24, 2008. On December 8, 2008 I had my yearly exam and my doctor reminded me to schedule my mammogram, so I dutifully did so for December 10th. On the 11th I received a phone call from the hospital stating there were areas of concern on my left side and I needed to return for a second scan. By the 15th I was instructed that I needed a biopsy and one could be scheduled after the first of the year.

In June of 2008 I went for my annual mammogram, and as usual I had to go back for further testing. I didn’t think anything of it. Then I got the call that I needed to see a surgeon for a biopsy. I still wasn’t worried; I'd gone through this once before. This time was different. The biopsy came back cancerous. Throughout this journey there was rarely an easy decision to be made. My test results were usually borderline between two options. I went for second opinions and prayed that the doctors who examined me would have their eyes open and provide a clear path.

My name is Danielle Horner. I am a 37 year old mother of 4 from Brookfield, WI. Ten years ago, while pregnant with my second daughter, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. The oldest of 3 children, I reacted emotionally but quickly composed myself and began to show support and encouragement for both my mom and younger siblings. My mom went through a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation and seemed to be on the road to recovery.

Independence is a wonderful feeling, one we’ll celebrate for the 234th time on July 4. It’s a birthday of sorts, and the gift is freedom. While the cake may be strawberry shortcake, apple pie or fresh watermelon, the candles are always sparklers that light up a night punctuated by the sounds of John Philip Sousa and blossoming fireworks over the lakes and across the baseball fields.